Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-08-30
BRITISH NATURALIZATION


motion of the Naturalization OF
British Subjects - Vigorous and
Thoughtful Addresses - An Inter
esting Meeting.
About o'clock last evening a considera-
Bile number of Englishmen had gathered in
st. Georges hall. Mr.. Cunning, the presi-
dent, called the meeting to order in few
felicitous remarks and read the constitution
of the society to formally and definitely set
forth the objects which the society aims at.
There seem to be three: One, to promote
the naturalization as American citizens of
British subjects resident in New Haven; Two,
to promote peace, harmony and good will
between the United States and Great Brit
ain; Three, to advance the interests of the
members and promote acquaintance and a
feeling of fellowship among them.
The president continued for few minutes
setting forth that the organization was not
one that could properly be used for any par
tisan purposes.
He then introduced, as a gentleman proba-
bly, well known to most of the members who
had been invited to address them, Judge
Sheldon, who then proceeded with these re-
marks in part
1.-THE object of your association is certainly
unique; it pre- supposes fact that is special
ly significant. That fact is that among all
the multitudes from the Old World who an
nually seek new homes in this country, the
Englishmen so generally decline to become
citizens. 1t is said that in this city to-day
there are about 5000 native born British
subjects, of whom not more than 500
are naturalized. The residue-the $500
are among US, but not of US, are taxed and
are compelled to obey every law and ord
nance that others make for them; they obey
Loyalty; they quietly submit to all the bur
dens of citizenship, but decline to accept
any of the special advantages or the respons-
ibilies of voting, or of citizenship. 1t is an
unwise rnd unnatural position.
One of the strongest counts in the indict-
ment, which Thomas Jefferson drew against
George Ill, was that 'fHe has endeavored to
prevent the population of the States; for
that purpose he has obstructed the laws for
the naturalization of foreigners, he has re-
fused to pass other laws to encourage their
ton of appropriation of lands" and
after some vacillation from time
to time, the sober second thought
of the American people has settled down up
on the policy of liberal terms for the natural
ization of persons who love the country SO
we'll as to choose it deliberately out of all the
world as the place of their residence.
can easily understand the proud reluc-
lance of a subject of that great empire on
which the sun never sets to sever his imme-
diate connection with so much glory, so much
security, SO much that in every way appeals
to the affections and the Imagination. It
certainly has dominated the recent past.
But America is also great, not alone in its
geographical extent, the immensely of its
financial resources, the power of its grand
armies of citizen soldiery. 1t is great in its
magnanimity; we imagine it has pitched life
for all on a little higher and finer plane than
has been reached anywhere else. We
mos most cordially invite .nd you to al al
that it promises for the future. You that
have been trained in the traditions of the
common law, who have drawn inspiration
from the same literature, who know the great
principles of English freedom as the basic
structure of all our institutions, owe it to
yourselves, to US and to all who may come
after us to become part and parcel of the
great republic.
We do not expect that any man who comes
here and remains without returning at least
once to England can quite make up his mind
that he is to become an American citizen,
but let him once return to England after five
years of America and he will come back to
us fully satisfied as we all are that America
is good enough for him.
It happened to me once that I had to de-
eide just that question, whether 1 would be-
come an English subject or remain an Amer
lean citizen. Once stated in that form the
reply was easy. Another
reason why we urge you all to become Amer
lean citizens right away we want you all to
be able to cheer as Yankees the Volunteer
after the coming race. That cup, which Tor
thirty six years our good cousins have been
coming over here to get and have never been
quite able to carry back, we do not expect to
see float away on any Thistle down. If such
thing should unfortunately occur we will
cheer for the fastest boat.
Again you propose to promote peace, har-
mony and good will between the two great
branches of the Anglo-saxon race. Unhap-
PLY two wars have in the past emblttered
the feeling of Americans and Britains against
each other; but we have had three triumph
ant arbitrations of international difficulties
since, and just now great petition, signed
by more than two hundred members OF the
British Parliament and many names OF the
highest and best in Great Britain, Is on its
way,t our government asking that treaty
may be entered into SO that in all future time
all differences between these two great nations
shall be submitted to arbitration.
The international treaty of the Red Cross
has done much in the same direction. If
your society shall be able DIDO anything to
promote so humane and laudable an under
taking as that you will deserve the thanks
and the gratitude of the intelligent and
worthy of all nations and all coming time.
The president then called upon ex-Mayor
Lewis, who responded in a pointed and
pleasant speech, in which he pointed out
how inevitably they must remain in an in
ferior position until they became in fact
members of it.
Mr.. Felix Chillingworth was called on and
responded in a most suggestive speech full of
encouragement for the object of the meeting.
The president and other members closed the
meeting with some appropriate remarks. 1t
passed a vote of thanks to the speakers of
| the evening and then proceeded to enroll
themselves by signing the constitution and
] the meeting adjourned.